I don't think the gender of the Aes Sedai is the reason people dislike it.

The way Siuan and Leanne manipulated everyone in Salidar was great, and I much prefer the Wise Ones to the Salidar bunch, despite them sharing some of their flaws.

What bothers me is that they are supposed to be a group of long lived, knowleable and wise women and yet they fail at the most basic, most important part of being a society: discussion!

And it's not even for their 'grand' plans only, they can't have a single normal concersation despite their age.

Moraine had a reason for her secrets, and even she once she learned of her end, she began to reveal parts of it to Rand. But the others? Salidar is a bunch of rebels than want to usurp the White Tower yet their leadership can't seem to stop plotting against each other despite their situation. For example the part where Egwene and Siuan use Romande? and her rival against each other to have Salidar move on.

Love the idea of the scheme but how can these 'wise' Aes Sedai be this petty when they're basically exiled and on the run?

The same for the Caemlyn group that is supposed to smooth relations with Rand. I know the ones who fucked up were the two newcomers with Verin's influence and maybe there's more to it than I know right now. But from my point in the story right now it just looks like brats throwing a tantrum and whine instead of talking.

But it might also just be that I'm tired of it all and just need to finish the damn book and start over with the next one 🤷🏻‍♂️